Elizabeth's Christmas Engagement: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Variation

By Kiera Montclaire

Lydia Bennet's flight from Brighton and her scandalous dalliances with Mr. Wickham should have been enough to ruin any family... and it would have if it were not for the intervention of an anonymous benefactor. 

 

Anonymous or not, Elizabeth Bennet is determined to discover the identity of the nameless gentleman, he must be thanked for his generosity, and perhaps she can find a way to repay him for his unexpected kindness. 

 

With to approach of the annual Christmas Ball, and Mr. Bingley's unexpected return to Hertfordshire, there is entirely too much happening… and when Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is revealed as the anonymous gentleman, her only thought is of demanding an answer as to why he had done it. 

 

An impulsive detour to Netherfield Park to confront the gentleman brings Elizabeth more questions than answers, and when she's caught in a sudden snowstorm, there is only one person who could come to her aid… but after the way she has behaved, will he?

"Elizabeth's Christmas Engagement" is a sweet and clean Pride and Prejudice variation that can be enjoyed by all lovers of Jane Austen's romantic classic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Flowers Press
• Release date: Dec 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215114315

Book preview

1

With a certain amount of suspicious disbelief, I read, and then re-read the letter that had just arrived from London. 

But it cannot be, I choked out. 

Jane, seated across from me on the sofa in front of the fire, frowned at her needlework and let out a heavy sigh. It seems as though it all happened very suddenly, she said.

But our aunt has written, very specifically in her letter, that Lydia and Mr. Wickham are now to be married? We had all thought it impossible that such a thing would happen.

And so it seemed to be, Jane said. She reached for the letter and I handed it over willingly so that my sister could read Mrs. Gardiner’s words for herself. 

I paced the parlor floor with my arms crossed over my chest. "But how did it happen? She does not say how!"

Jane tapped the letter with her sewing scissors. Our aunt says that they were found on the road to Gretna Green. We can only hope that our fears were unfounded and that he did mean to marry her!

After so much time? I sighed. It's more likely he was looking for a convenient place to leave her behind.  

Jane shook her head and re-folded the letter. Now, Lizzy, we cannot assume the worst. Mr. Wickham is to be family now, and we must try to forget the… ignoble beginning to their union. 

Forget? How am I to forget such a thing? He stole Lydia away from Brighton!

Stole... Jane frowned and handed the letter back to me. You know Lydia as well as I do. She doesn't do anything she doesn't want to.

I know, I said.

It was something we had spoken of far too often in the weeks since Lydia's disappearance was first reported. How much of this flight from Brighton had she orchestrated herself?

And how involved was Mrs. Forster in the whole situation?

I had a difficult time finding any room in my heart for forgiveness, and even though I knew Jane would endeavor to find such an acceptance for Mr. Wickham; I could not.

And would not.

We must find a gentle way to tell Mama the happy news, Jane continued as though she had not noticed my brooding expression. She has been worried and distracted for weeks, and this will bring her some joy. 

I continued my pacing as Jane set aside her embroidery.

My mind was occupied with other things aside from the fact that Lydia, the youngest of our sisters, would be the first one married. I knew that fact weighed heavily on Jane’s mind, but I could not yet bring myself to reveal Mr. Darcy’s part in Mr. Bingley’s sudden departure from Hertfordshire… 

To reveal that would be to put my own heartache into words, and the less time I spent thinking about that particular gentleman, the better. 

Lizzy, are you listening to me? Jane asked. 

I stopped abruptly and looked up at my sister who stared at me with judgemental eyes. She had been waiting for my input... and I had not even heard what she had said.

I— Of course, Jane, I am sorry, I sputtered. We shall tell Mama the news, but gently, I should think? 

Jane nodded her agreement and I breathed a small sigh of relief. Indeed. Gentle is always best with Mama, especially now. 

We left the parlor together and climbed the stairs that led to the second floor where our mother had been shut away in her bedchamber, where she had lain since Lydia's flight from Brighton had been reported. 

Jane knocked lightly upon the closed door, but our mother’s only answer was a mournful wail. Jane grimaced, opened the door, and beckoned for me to follow as she stepped into the darkened room.

Mama, Jane whispered. May I open the curtains? It is such a lovely day...

I did not wait for our mother to answer. Without hesitation, I strode to the windows and pulled back the curtains. It is so stuffy in here, Mama, I said briskly. 

Mama let out a cry as a shaft of morning sunlight fell over her bed. You are too cruel to me, Lizzy! she wailed. 

But, Mama, you must sit up to receive the news we have brought, Jane said brightly, although she fixed me with an admonishing glare before she approached our mother's bed. 

Mama sighed dramatically and leaned forward so that Jane could tuck some more pillows behind her back to prop her upright. 

I am in no mood for news, she moaned dramatically. I cannot bear any of it! 

Mama, please, Jane insisted. This letter is from Mrs. Gardiner, and she has word of Lydia. 

  My poor Lydia, Mrs. Bennet cried. Is it news that I should like to hear? Or talk of more scandal? I cannot bear any more scandal! I cannot imagine the gossip that is even now swirling around Meryton! 

It was true, of course, and Mama knew it better than she liked to admit.

The very ladies that Mama loved to gossip with about the happenings of Hertfordshire's best families would be consumed with the news that one of their very own young ladies was caught up in such a scandal. Especially with a member of the beloved militia.

How shocking!

I knew that she feared our eventual return to society. How would we be received when we dared to show our faces at the Christmas ball? Would we even go?

No, indeed, Mama, Jane assured her. It is the very best news. Come, I shall read it to you. Jane sat down on the edge of the bed and unfolded the letter, but Mrs. Bennet snatched it out of Jane's hand and read it for herself. 

They have been discovered! she cried. 

Jane nodded. Yes, Mama. 

Mrs. Bennet’s eyes filled with happy tears as she read Mrs. Gardiner’s words. Oh, Jane! And they are to be married before the week is done! 

Yes, Mama, Jane said. Everything has been arranged. 

"Oh, I do